Man bites girlfriend's nose during drunken rage

Man bites girlfriend's nose during drunken rage

AN IPSWICH father of two bit his girlfriend's nose then "spear-tackled" the woman's mother in a drunken rage.

At Ipswich District Court this week, the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The couple had been involved in a domestic dispute after the man learned of his partner's alleged infidelity.

On January 15, this year, the man sent numerous abusive text messages to the woman and threatened to take their children from her.

Later that night, the then 28-year-old man arrived at the Raceview house where the woman was staying and pushed his way inside. The woman fought the man as he grabbed his two-year-old daughter and tried to leave the house.

The court heard that during the struggle, the man shouted at the woman "I'm going to smash you" then squeezed her throat.

He then leant forward and bit her on the nose.

The woman's mother, who was also at the house, phoned police and told the man officers were on their way.

Crown prosecutor Peter O'Connor said the man tried to take the 52-year-old's phone then "spear-tackled" her to the ground, outside the house.

The police arrived at the scene shortly after the man had fled.

They arrested the man that night.

He was later released on domestic violence release conditions, but despite those conditions the man sent his partner more abusive text messages.

Defence barrister Geoff Seaholme said the man and his partner had been together for nine years and were still in a relationship.

He said the couple were working through their issues to improve their relationship.

Mr Seaholme said the man's partner and her mother did not suffer any significant injuries as a result of the offending.

He said his client was employed and could provide an income for his partner and their children.

Mr Seaholme said his client had alcohol issues that could be dealt with through court-ordered parole.

The man's partner had also written a letter that asked the court not to send the man to jail.

In sentencing, Judge Greg Koppenol said the man had acted with "significant violence" towards two women.

"There is never an excuse for a man to be physically violent towards a woman," he told the man.

"You acted disgracefully, and you did it in the presence of your two-year-old daughter."